US20130065464A1

US20130065464A1 - Canine life vest with top dorsal fin

Info

Publication number: US20130065464A1
Application number: US13/199,858
Authority: US
Inventors: Konstantinos Maritsas
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2011-09-13
Filing date: 2011-09-13
Publication date: 2013-03-14

Abstract

A pet life vest with a top dorsal fin is a safety floatation device for canines. The apparatus is comprised of two primary pieces; the life vest portion and the dorsal fin portion. Both portions contain internal closed cell structure floatation material and are flexible and form fitting. The life vest portion acts as a floatation device; the dorsal fin aids in floatation and visibility while also acting as a convenient handle to allow the owner easy access at anytime.

The apparatus contains three plastic/metal buckles, two running vertically down the middle and one running horizontally at the front. All three buckles are adjustable and thus the entire apparatus can be easily modified to create stability and comfort.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

I. Category of Invention
The present invention applies to the canine safety floatation device category.
II. Background Description
There are an array of canine safety floatation devices created to aid in canine support while swimming All the previous devices do not contain an apparatus that make the canine visible above more than an inch or two above water level. This obvious flaw can be very hazardous to the canine while swimming in water.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,559,817 B2 issued to Ernest A. Von Zell on Mar. 7, 2008 presents a floatation device that when used in water, does not increase visibility above the water level.
Other inventions place reflective materials on their devices. The drawback to this addition is that the reflective material is not visible while the canine is swimming, as it is submerged beneath the water.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2008/0035076 A1 issued to Wayne Everette Waterfield on Aug. 14, 2006 presents a floatation device that has a reflective design that becomes useless while the canine is in the water.
Another fault in previous devices is the lack of the owners ability and convenience to grasp the canine in an urgent or dangerous situation. Some previous devices do provide small handles that are always submerged in water and can become more of a liability than a safety feature, as they can become snag points that would endanger the canine wearing that device.
For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,052,345 B1 issued to Charles Rowan on Oct. 11, 2005 presents a floatation device that would be difficult for the owner to grasp a hold of in an urgent or dangerous situation.
It would be extremely beneficial to implement solutions to these common device flaws that would incorporate; A) A dorsal fin apparatus that remains above water to increase visibility.
B) A top dorsal fin handle that remains substantially above water, that the owner can easily access at anytime, while eliminating the possibility of the device becoming caught or snagged on hazardous or foreign objects. C) A floatation device that aids canines while swimming and may prevent possible drowning. D) Is comprised of buoyant, comfortable, water-resistant, flexible, durable, safe and economical to produce for popular use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The main objective of the present invention enclosed is to provide canines with a safety floatation device that will have an apparatus which will aid not only in better visibility, but also in the owners ability to access the canine easily at anytime while eliminating the possibility of snagging on dangerous objects, while also acting as a life saving safety device.
The present invention is comprised of two main pieces; 1) A main body piece comprised of internal closed cell structured foam, that is worn across the canines back, wraps under the torso and around the chest. It is secured with two central buckles which attach straps that run from one side of the canine, wrap beneath the underside of the canine, and attach on the opposing side of the canine. A third buckle runs from one shoulder of the canine, wraps around the canines chest, and attaches to to canines opposing shoulder. 2) The second main piece is a Top Dorsal Fin comprised of internal closed cell structured foam to aid in floatation substantially increase the canines visibility to all water vehicles and other hazards while in the water, and to act as a convenient and easy to grab handle for the owner to access at anytime while eliminating any dangerous snag points.
Both pieces work together to create a device that allows a canine to swim in water, and walk on land, safely, comfortably, and unrestricted.
The present invention provides easily adjustable buckles that allow the device to contour to the canine bodies length and girth.
The present invention is simple and economical to manufacture, making it easily accessible to the worldwide market.
The present invention is created from buoyant, durable, light weight, flexible and form-fitting material that supports the canine at all times.
The present invention is easily attached and removed, on and off the canine, making it quick and easy to use.
These objects and materials are combined to create a canine floatation device that is safer and more effective to aid canines while swimming in a water environment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a left side perspective view of the canine life vest according to one embodiment of the present invention

FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view of the canine life vest as in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 is a partial top perspective view of the canine life vest as in FIGS. 1-2

FIG. 4 is a full top perspective view of the canine life vest as in FIGS. 1-3

FIG. 5 is a full bottom perspective view of the canine life vest as in FIGS. 1-4

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the canine life vest as in FIGS. 1-5

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the canine life vest as in FIGS. 1-6

FIG. 8 is a view of the closed cell structured foam encapsulated in the canine life vest as is FIG. 1-7

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

To better understand the present invention, we turn to the drawings, FIG. 1-8.
FIGS. 1 and 2 show side perspective views, of a first embodiment of the present invention, which is a canine safety floatation device. The canine floatation device generally comprises of two major sections; 3A. the main body piece of the safety vest, and 2E. The top dorsal fin piece of the safety vest. Both main sections are two pieces of water resistant, durable synthetic fiber material, that are sewn together to encapsulate pieces of internal closed cell structure foam material FIG. 8; FA and FB. These two main components create the buoyant aspects of the invention. The dorsal fin FIG. 2E provides the exceptional visibility and easy access handle which is free of dangerous snag points. The dorsal fin FIG. 2E is sewn into either side of the main body piece FIG. 3A. The safety vest is secured to the canine by a series of straps and buckles. FIG. 2; 2B1 and 2C2, display the straps that secure from the FIG. 2 side, wrap beneath the canines stomach and secure to the FIG. 1 side, securing the buckles (shown in FIG. 4; 6A and 6B) to the clips shown in FIG. 1; 1B and 1C. The third strap 2A wraps from the right side of the canines shoulder FIG. 2, wraps around the canines chest, and connects the buckle 4 in FIG. 2 with the clip FIG. 1; 1A on the opposing shoulder of the canine. The straps are all easily adjustable and are comprised of water resistant, high strength nylon, and are sewn to the main body pieces 3A and 3B.
Section number 5 found on FIG. 2 is a stomach strap comprised of durable synthetic fiber material, that is sewn into the side of the main body piece shown in FIG. 4; 3A. It has the durable synthetic fiber straps shown in FIG. 4; 2B1 and 2C2 sewn along it to add comfort and to increase surface area to the straps to prevent painful rubbing to the canine.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show top perspective views, of a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 displays the main body pieces 3A and 3B. It also displays a full view of the stomach strap 5, which wraps beneath the stomach of the canine and attaches the clips on FIG. 4; 6A and 6B into the buckles on FIG. 4; 1C and 1B. The buckles are held by the straps shown in FIG. 4; 2B1 and 2C2. The straps are comprised of water resistant, high strength nylon and are sewn directly to the stomach strap shown in FIG. 4; 5.
FIG. 5 shows the beneath perspective view, of a first embodiment of the present invention. 3C displays the bottom piece of the main body portion, it is made of water resistant durable synthetic fiber material (nylon) and is sewn to the top portion of the main body portion shown in FIG. 3; 3A and 3B. It displays the stomach strap described in FIGS. 3 and 4. It also shows the beneath view of the chest strap with buckle attached, 2A and 4.
FIG. 6 shows the rear perspective view, of a first embodiment of the present invention. It displays the dorsal fin 2E, the main body piece 3A and 3B, the stomach strap 5, the vinyl straps 2C and 2C2, along with the buckle 6B and the clasp 1C.
FIG. 7 shows the front perspective view, of a first embodiment of the present invention. I displays the dorsal fin 2E, the main body piece 3A and 3B, the stomach strap 5, the vinyl straps 2B1 and 2A, along with the buckles 6A and 4, and the clasps 1A and 1B.
FIG. 8 shows the internal closed cell structured foam pieces FA and FB. FA is encapsulated within the dorsal fin portion 2E, and FB is encapsulated within the main body piece shown in FIG. 3; 3A and 3B.
The above-described invention provides proper buoyancy, support, durability, safety, and visibility to prevent water related accidents that may cause injury or death to a canine while in a water environment. The addition of the buoyant dorsal fin makes for excellent visibility above the water to provide safety to the canine from water vehicles and other hazards. The dorsal fin also creates a snag-free handle for the owner to easily access at any time. The safety floatation device with top dorsal fin is economical and simple to manufacture, making it easily accessible to the worldwide market.
Having presented the preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is to be understood that there will be others in the canine safety field that will practice similar concepts, but may not set forth the specifications set forth in the present invention, device descriptions, and claims.

Claims

1. A canine life vest with top dorsal fin comprising;

a canine safety vest for suspending a canine while in a water environment, the main body piece and dorsal fin being made of water-resistant materials, attached to the canines side by two adjustable durable synthetic straps that connect to buckles on the canines opposing side, a third adjustable durable synthetic strap that connects from one of the canines shoulders, to a buckle on the opposing shoulder of the canine, all three buckles containing quick release connectors to allow quick and easy attachment/detachment; and

a top dorsal fin to substantially increase visibility and buoyancy at all times above the water, and create an easy, accessible, snag-free handle; and

a closed cell foam insert, encapsulated inside both the safety vest and the dorsal fin, to provide a buoyancy aid, and support for the canine.